Weight transfer carrying device and method

ABSTRACT

A weight transfer carrying device includes a cuff capable of attaching to the arm of a user, a connection unit including a clip for connecting to an external object, and an elongated tether interposed between the cuff and connection unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/358,616 filed on 25 Jun. 2010, the contents of which are fully incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a carrying device, and more particularly to an adjustable over the shoulder device for assisting a user to carry heavy or bulky items.

2. Description of Related Art

Over the shoulder straps, slings and pouches have been used for many years to assist users in holding and carrying items. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional carrying strap 10 having an elongated rope or tether 11 formed into a loop and including a connector 12 for securing the device to an external object.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, these conventional shoulder straps are typically worn by placing the strap around the head and neck of a user, or by slinging the strap over a single shoulder. In either instance, however, the entire weight of the object 13 is transferred to the users body at a single location where the body makes contact with the strap. As such, a significant amount of pressure P is exerted upon a relatively small area of the body along the neck area and/or a single shoulder. For this reason, many users commonly experience upper back and neck injuries resulting from sustained usage of conventional shoulder straps 10 due to the lateral and medial forces exerted on one side of the upper body of the user.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a weight transfer carrying device for allowing a user to carry objects while minimizing pressure on the back, neck and shoulders.

It is another object of the invention to provide a weight transfer carrying device that is easy to use and inexpensive to manufacture.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method for carrying items using a weight transfer carrying device.

Accordingly, there is provided a weight transfer carrying device having an adjustable length tether with an arm cuff on a first end and a connector on a second end. The device being configured to minimize pressure on the back, neck and shoulders of a user while carrying external items.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a conventional shoulder strap.

FIG. 1A perspective view of a conventional strap in operation.

FIG. 1B is another perspective view of a conventional strap in operation.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a weight transfer carrying device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the cuff and tether in accordance with one embodiment of the invention

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the cuff and tether in operation according to one embodiment of the invention

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a weight transfer carrying device in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a weight transfer carrying device in accordance with another alternate embodiment of the invention

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the weight transfer carrying device in operation, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4B is another perspective view of the weight transfer carrying device in operation, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4C is another perspective view of the weight transfer carrying device in operation, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of carrying an object utilizing the weight transfer carrying device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a weight transfer carrying device in accordance with the inventive concepts disclosed herein. The device 20 can include an elongated tether 23 having an arm cuff 21 at one end and an connector/attachment unit 24 at the other end.

In one embodiment, the arm cuff 21 can include a single piece of flexible material having two ends 21 a and 21 b configured to be removably secured together via a connection means 21 c, thus allowing the cuff to be sized for the arm of each individual user. The arm cuff 21 can also include an internal means of support 22 embedded within one half of the cuff in order to provide rigidity. To this end, the support means 22 can act to shape the cuff in a semi-rigid manner that can be helpful to a user while positioning the cuff on their arm. To this end, a user can place the supported portion of the cuff on the top of their arm and then wrap the unsupported portion around the bottom of their arm before securing the two halves together.

In one preferred embodiment, the support means 22 can include an elongated strand of steel pallet banding and the arm cuff 21 can be constructed from polypropylene webbing having a hook and loop material (i.e. Velcro©) 21 c attached thereto. Of course one of skill in the art will recognize that many other cuff materials such as nylon and cotton blend, support materials such as plastic inserts, and connection means such as snaps and buttons, for example, can be utilized without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention.

In one alternative embodiment (not shown), optional padding can be secured to the cuff at locations that are intended to make contact with the arm of a user. Such padding can act to provide additional comfort to the user, can be permanently or removably connected to the cuff, and can be constructed from neoprene, rubber or cotton, for example.

The tether 23 can be secured to the arm cuff 21 at one end and the attachment unit 24 at the other. The tether can include an adjustment ring 23 a for allowing the length of the tether to be changed. To this end, adjustment ring 23 a can act to bend the tether back across itself leaving an open loop 23 b of tether material disposed along the outside portion of the adjustment ring. As adjustment rings of this and other types are extremely well known in the art, no further description will be provided.

In one preferred embodiment, the tether 23 can be constructed from an elongated piece of polypropylene webbing that is permanently secured to the arm cuff 21 via industrial stitching or other similar means having excellent resistance to tearing or separating. Of course, other materials and methods of joining are also contemplated. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, the tether 23 can be preferably secured to the cuff 21 at an angle Θ ranging between 15 and 45 degrees to facilitate a user in wearing the device without allowing the tether 23 to make contact with a users neck. Although illustrated as a left hand cuff and angle, one of skill in the art will recognize that the device 10 can be constructed as a right hand cuff with corresponding reciprocal angles in the opposite direction.

In one alternative embodiment, optional pockets 23 c and/or padding as described above can also be secured along a portion of the tether 23 to provide additional comfort to the user.

The attachment unit 24 can act to secure the device 20 to a foreign object. In one preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the attachment unit 24 can include a ring 24 a positioned within the loop 23 b of the tether, and a metallic swivel clip 24 b configured to removably grasp a foreign object in a conventional manner.

Although described above as including a removable metallic swivel clip, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, the attachment unit can include any known means for securing two or more objects together, such as one or more conventional clips constructed from plastic, composite and/or metal, conventional snaps, hook and loop fittings (i.e. Velcro©), magnetic elements, and adhesive materials, among many others, for example.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a weight transfer carrying device 20 configured to absorb momentum shifts while the device is in use. As shown, arm cuff 31 can be constructed from a single piece of flexible/elastic material configured to stretch (see arrow a) to fit the arm size of a user. Likewise, the tether 33 can also be constructed from an elastic material and configured to stretch and contract in rhythm with any external forces (see arrow b) imparted on the device while in use. In one preferred embodiment, both the cuff 31 and the tether 33 can be constructed from single individual pieces of elastic webbing or other similar material having excellent strength and elasticity, that are secured together via industrial stitching.

FIG. 4 illustrates another alternate embodiment of a weight transfer carrying device 20 which includes a tether 40 having both an elastic portion 33 and a non-elastic portion 23. To this end, the two halves of the tether 33 and 23 can be joined via any number of conventional methodologies in order to incorporate the momentum shifting ability of an elastic tether with the strength and lifting power of a non-elastic tether into a single device. As shown, the non-elastic portion 23 can preferably be located adjacent to the cuff 21 and the elastic portion 33 can be located adjacent to the clip 24, however other embodiments with varying position and length of each type of material are also contemplated.

FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate one embodiment of the weight transfer carrying device 20 in action. As shown, the device 20 can be used to alter the weight distribution of (and the corresponding pressure exerted by) an external object 30 in a novel manner that is more comfortable and less likely to cause damage to a user. As shown, the arm cuff 21 can be positioned around the arm of a user 5 and the tether 23 can be placed across the user's back and shoulder that does not hold the cuff. The attachment unit 24 can then be secured to an external object 30 such as a toolbox, furniture, garden tools, power equipment, and/or an infant car seat, for example, and carried by the user.

In operation, the weight of the object 30 can be spread across a wide area of the user's body. Moreover, as indicated by the corresponding arrows, the pressure P exerted on the arm having the cuff 21 is in an upward and/or lateral direction, that is opposite to that of the other shoulder. In this regard, the weight of the object is transformed into two opposing forces which can be adjusted by the user based on the location of the device 20 (e.g. by positioning the cuff on either the bicep or forearm of the user). As such, the weight transfer device 20 can be worn by a user in a manner that eliminates pressure P exerted on the neck and/or back. To this end, the device 20 can be utilized for long periods of time without causing a user to suffer from back and neck pain.

Accordingly, a weight transfer carrying device as disclosed herein can minimize pressure on the back, neck and shoulders of a user while retaining the ability to carry heavy items.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method 500 for lifting and carrying heavy objects utilizing the weight transfer carrying device described above.

The method can begin at step 505 where a user can secure the cuff 21 to their arm (i.e. bicep or forearm). This can be accomplished by utilizing the securing means 21 c or by expanding the elastic material to fit the arm of the user.

Next, the method can proceed to step 510 where the user can position the tether 23 across their back and shoulder opposite to the cuff.

In step 515, the user can bend to the object and clip the securing unit 24 to a location on the object, such as a universal choke hitch, for example.

In step 520, the user can lift the object using the device 20 and in step 525, the user can adjust the weight distribution of the object across their body based on their own preference.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. 

1. A weight transfer carrying device, comprising: a flexible cuff configured to be removably secured to an arm of a user; a connection unit including a clip configured to attach to an external object; and an elongated tether having a first end secured to a portion of the cuff, and a second end secured to the connection unit, wherein said tether is connected to the cuff at an angle between substantially 15 and 45 degrees with respect to a perpendicular axis intersecting the cuff.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein said cuff includes an adjustable dimension and at least one of a plurality of hook and loop fasteners, a snap and a button.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of said cuff further includes a reinforcement material configured to assist a user in securing the device to the users arm.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein said reinforcement material includes one or more strips of metallic pallet banding.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein a length of said tether is adjustable.
 6. The device of claim 1, further comprising: one or more pockets secured to the tether.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the connection unit includes at least one of a metallic swivel clip, a composite clip, snaps, and hook and loop fasteners.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein a portion of said tether located adjacent to the flexible cuff is constructed from a non-elastic material, and a portion of said tether located adjacent to the connection unit is constructed from an elastic material configured to absorb a momentum shift.
 9. A weight transfer carrying device, comprising: an elastic cuff configured to be removably secured to an arm of a user; a connection unit configured to secure the device to an external object; and an elongated tether having a first end secured to a portion of the cuff, and a second end secured to the connection unit, wherein said tether is connected to the cuff at an angle between substantially 15 and 45 degrees with respect to a perpendicular axis intersecting the cuff.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the tether is constructed from an elastic material configured to absorb a momentum shift.
 11. The device of claim 9, wherein a portion of said tether located adjacent to the flexible cuff is constructed from a non-elastic material, and a portion of said tether located adjacent to the connection unit is constructed from an elastic material configured to absorb a momentum shift.
 12. The device of claim 9, wherein a length of the tether is adjustable.
 13. The device of claim 9, further comprising: one or more pockets secured to the tether.
 14. The device of claim 9, wherein said connection unit includes at least one of a metallic swivel clip, a composite clip, snaps, and hook and loop fasteners.
 15. A method for carrying external objects utilizing a weight transfer carrying device having a cuff a tether and a connection unit, said method including: securing the cuff to an arm of a user; positioning a middle portion of the tether across a back and shoulder of the user; securing the connection unit to a portion of the external object; and lifting the external object via the tether. 